Trump nominates Maersk executive to lead Maritime Administration

Stephen Carmel replaces Brent Sadler, who was nominated for the post in March

Trump wants to bolster U.S. domestic shipping capacity. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has nominated Stephen Carmel, an executive with Maersk Line Ltd. (MLL), to head the U.S. Maritime Administration, according to documents filed in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Stephen Carmel. Credit: Yorktown Institute

Carmel replaces Brent Sadler, who had been tapped in March to lead the agency but had yet to undergo a nomination hearing in the Senate. No reason was given as to why Sadler’s nomination was withdrawn. FreightWaves has contacted the Senate for comment.

Marad is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for promoting U.S. domestic shipping and shipbuilding and providing funding for port intermodal connections with rail and trucking.

According to Carmel’s bio at the Yorktown Institute, a U.S. national security and geopolitical forum where he is currently an adviser, Carmel is senior vice president, maritime services at MLL, the U.S. subsidiary of Copenhagen, Denmark-based liner shipping company Maersk. Carmel is also a licensed deep sea ship’s master and was a vessel captain, according to the institute.

Carmel’s nomination comes as President Donald Trump seeks to restore U.S. maritime power as part of his “America First” agenda, which includes a plan to increase the fleet of the U.S.-flag fleet for trading internationally as well for domestic transport.

To continue reading this article...

Already have an account? Sign In

Create a Free Account

No payment required

By signing up with your email, you will receive newsletters, special offers, and occasional third-party promotions from FreightWaves.com and its family of brands.

    Need Help? Contact Us

    John Gallagher

    Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.